Good Thursday morning. EXCLUSIVE – WHAT CHENEY WILL SAY: When President Obama makes wise decisions, he deserves our support. And when he mischaracterizes the national security decisions we made in the Bush years, he deserves an answer. The point is not to look backward. But a truthful telling of history is necessary to inform our choices going forward. Whatever choices we make concerning the defense of the nation, they should be based on a truthful telling of history. Cheney will argue the EFFECTIVENESS of Gitmo and “enhanced interrogation,” and will say the American people deserve to see the whole picture as they assess the policies of the past — not just half the story.

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THE FIRST LADY — The White House names Sept. 11 as a NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE as part of a Service Initiative running 81 days from June 22 to Sept. 11, organized by the Corporation for National & Community Service. The first lady made the announcement yesterday during a closed-press meeting in the Hall of Flags at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, asking businesses and unions to “help identify opportunities for employees to help out in your communities.” (hat tip: a loyal Playbooker)

TIME’s cover is “The Meaning of Michelle: She's beaten back criticism and caricature to become the most watched first lady in a generation. An intimate look at how Michelle Obama is changing the White House — and America — forever,” by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Scherer: “The White House became as much Michelle Obama's stage as her husband's even before she colored the fountains green for St. Patrick's Day, or mixed the Truman china with the World's Fair glasses at a state dinner, or installed beehives on the South Lawn, or turned the East Room into a jazz lounge for a night or sacrificed her first sock to the first puppy. …

“She admits that the sheer symbolic power of the role is perhaps greater than she anticipated. ‘I tried not to come into this with too many expectations one way or the other,’ she says on a sunny May afternoon in her East Wing office. ‘I felt like part of my job — and I still feel like that — is to be open to where this needs to go.’ …

“Michelle's day starts at dawn, when she walks the dog and then hits the treadmill; she's had the same personal trainer for about 10 years, who has relocated to Washington from Chicago. There are no regularly scheduled meetings with her staff and never any meetings before the girls go to school. She tells aides which days she wants to be ‘on’; she can concentrate all her public events into a couple of days a week, leaving her free to sit in a lawn chair at the soccer field watching the girls play.”

The package includes iconic photos of the first lady by Platon, who did TIME’s famous cover of Obama in 2006 as well as Putin as Person of the Year. Also, Callie Shell shoots behind the scenes.

PUNDIT PREP— "Obama Closes the Democrats' Historical National Security Gap: A new Democracy Corps and Greenberg Quinlan Rosner survey shows that after 100 days in office, President Barack Obama has, at least for now, effectively erased doubts that Americans have historically harbored about the Democratic Party's vision and competence on national security. For the first time in our research, Democrats are at full parity on perceptions of which party would best manage national security, while they have moved far ahead of the GOP on specific challenges such as Afghanistan, Iraq, working with our allies, and improving America's image abroad. Nearly two-thirds of likely voters — 64 percent — approve of the job Obama is doing on national security. That is 6 points higher than his already strong overall job approval rating (at 58 percent, the highest we have yet recorded). On other aspects of national security — from Iraq, to Afghanistan, to terrorism, to the president's foreign diplomacy — the same is true: higher job approval ratings than on the president's overall job approval."

TODAY IS ONE OF WASHINGTON’S JUICIEST DAYS SPLIT-SCREEN DAYS IN YEARS — OBAMA VS. CHENEY, live on cables — At 10:10 a.m., “THE PRESIDENT delivers major speech on national security” in the National Archives Museum Rotunda. Then at 10:45 a.m., former Vice President Dick Cheney takes on the Obama administration with an unblinking speech at the American Enterprise Institute. Cheney aides say the speech has been booked for two to three weeks. He may take questions from the audience if there’s time.

STAGECRAFT — TEAM CHENEY REPORTS: “We are scheduled to begin at 10:45, but will delay if POTUS is is still speaking. We believe in a full airing of views and will have monitors set up at AEI so attendees can watch POTUS speech.”

WHITE HOUSE GUIDANCE: “The president will discuss his broader vision for strengthening the country's security and outline how the steps his administration is taking and plans to take going forward support those goals and principles.”

PULLING BACK THE CURTAIN: Deputy White House speechwriting director Ben Rhodes and Denis McDonough, an intimate Obama aide who is deputy national security adviser for strategic communication, had big hands in the president’s remarks. The vice president’s 35-minute speech was written by his trusted aides John McConnell and Matthew Scully.

--N.Y. Times lead story, “1 IN 7 DETAINEES REJOINED JIHAD, PENTAGON FINDS,” by Elisabeth Bumiller: “An unreleased Pentagon report concludes that about one in seven of the 534 prisoners already transferred abroad from the detention center in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, has returned to terrorism or militant activity, according to administration officials. The conclusion could strengthen the arguments of critics who have warned against the transfer or release of any more detainees as part of President Obama’s plan to shut down the prison by January. Past Pentagon reports on Guantánamo recidivism have been met with skepticism from civil liberties groups and criticized for their lack of detail.

… Two administration officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said the report was being held up by Defense Department employees fearful of upsetting the White House, at a time when even Congressional Democrats have begun to show misgivings over Mr. Obama’s plan to close Guantánamo.”

--Huffpost, “Obama Huddles With Human Rights Groups Before Security Speech,” by Sam Stein: “Under heavy criticism for a series of decisions on national security that resembled, for some, those of the Bush years, President Barack Obama hosted a lengthy meeting on Wednesday with the leaders of several key human rights and civil liberties groups. … According to an attendee, Obama expressed frustration with Congress' decision to remove funding for the closure of the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay. The president declared that his hands were tied in some ways regarding the use of reformed military tribunals, though he pledged to try as many detainees as possible in Article III federal courts.”

HOW IT’S BEING COVERED — the wire “laydowns” (set-up stories):

—AFP’s Stephen Collinson: “Under political fire from critics and allies alike, U.S. President Barack Obama Thursday aims to grab back the initiative over his order to shut Guantanamo Bay.”

—AP’s Steven R. Hurst: “President Barack Obama finds himself in a political box — at home and abroad — on closing the Guantanamo Bay prison, and he has prepared a major address on national security in hopes of working out of the tight spot.”

—Reuters’ Matt Spetalnick: “President Barack Obama Thursday will outline his strategy for closing the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, hoping to defuse a revolt by lawmakers over the fate of an internationally reviled symbol of Bush-era detainee policy. … White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama would lay out a ‘framework’ for the decisions ahead on Guantanamo.”

—Bloomberg’s Justin Blum and Hans Nichols: “President Barack Obama will attempt today to overcome growing opposition to closing the Guantanamo Bay prison after lawmakers said he hasn't done enough to explain what will be done with the suspected terrorists there.”

CHENEY, BUSH POPULARITY RISES (A TAD) — CNN/OPINION RESEARCH CORP. POLL OUT AT 6 a.m.: “Most Americans still don't like Dick Cheney, but they like him a little more than they did just after he and George W. Bush left office. 55 percent of the public has an unfavorable view of Cheney; 37 percent hold a positive view of the former veep. That's an eight-point gain since mid-January. Is that uptick due to Cheney's visibility as one of the most outspoken critics of the Obama administration? Almost certainly not. Bush's favorable rating rose six points in that same time period, and Bush has not given a single speech since he left office.” Opinion of George W. Bush: favorable, 41 percent; unfavorable, 57 percent. Interviews with 1,010 adult Americans conducted by telephone on May 14-17, 2009. Sampling error: +/-3 percent pts

** From the U.S. Travel Association: National Travel and Tourism Week just ended. But, remember: Travel Means Jobs -- One of eight Americans works in this vital industry. In fact, chances are you have a friend or a neighbor who make a living thanks to travel. Support your community by standing up for travel. More info and links at end of Playbook. **

SCOOP — POLITICO’S GLENN THRUSH on “ How Pelosi botched CIA script”: “According to people familiar with the situation, the speaker had agreed to say only that she had been ‘misled’ by intelligence officials during a September 2002 briefing on interrogation techniques. But when reporters asked Pelosi if she thought the Bush administration had lied to her, she embraced the more emphatic word, nodding her head in agreement.”

PUNDIT PREP — WashPost, top of A1, “Wider Confidence Lifts Economy From Winter's Deep, Dark Freeze,” by Neil Irwin and David Cho: “The financial system, frozen solid for the past nine months, is in a spring thaw. And it's happening even though many of the Obama administration's major rescue programs have yet to get off the ground. … [M]ore important than any single program … is a deepening confidence from financial markets that the government is prepared to take aggressive action.”

DAVID AXELROD, roasting and toasting KATIE COURIC last night at a benefit where she received the 2009 Helen Thomas Award for Excellence in Journalism: “It takes great generosity to allow yourself to be made the center of attention for a good cause, especially for someone as camera shy as Katie. But Katie does it all the time to help not-for-profits — like CBS. … She was ‘America’s Sweetheart’ long before anyone ever heard of Barack Obama. … As we know, the transition from NBC to CBS was a little rough. She went from asking, ‘Where in the world is Matt Lauer?’ to ‘Where in the hell are my viewers?!’ … And so you bring in Sarah Palin. I must say, it worked a lot better for you, Katie, than it did for John McCain. …

“In all seriousness, I’m honored to be here and glad to have a chance to pay tribute to Katie Couric, to Helen Thomas, to the young women receiving these scholarships, and to all of you for supporting this important cause. … And Katie has never taken this position for granted. She has used her platform to teach people about the importance of being tested for diseases like colon cancer. … Katie has demystified and destigmatized cancer screening in this country. As a result, she has not just opened minds; she’s saved lives. … In Katie’s persistence in pursuit of journalistic excellence, as well as her courage in the adversity she’s faced, she serves as a real example. She truly is a role model for every young journalist – and every young person.”

EXCLUSIVE: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has chosen a collaborator for her memoirs from among more than 30 applicants, including top names in the field. Palin, in consultation with superlawyer Robert Barnett, picked Lynn Vincent, the Christian conservative WORLD magazine’s features editor, and a bestselling nonfiction co-author from San Diego. Vincent will go to Alaska for long stretches to work on the book, including taping interviews with Palin, who has already written 20,000 words on her own. Vincent was the collaborator on “Same Kind of Different As Me,” which last week was on the NYT paperback nonfiction list for the 30th week. Her books have also attracted Hollywood interest.

—ELIZABETH EDWARDS’ “Resilience” will work up to No. 1 on the May 31 New York Times Hardcover Nonfiction Best Seller List. It debuted at No. 3 on May 15.

EXCLUSIVE: Tucker Bounds, who has America’s best name short of Tiger Woods, will be communications director for Meg Whitman, the former eBay CEO seeking the Republican nomination for California governor. Bounds became a household name defending Sen. McCain during his doomed presidential quest. PETE WEHNER is “speechwriter/policy advisor.” From MegWhitman.com: “Scott Howell & Company — Media Strategists … The Whitman media team will be led by founding partner Scott Howell, a South Carolina native and respected GOP media strategist. Working with Scott will be partner Todd Harris, a California native and veteran of California and national politics, as well as partners Heath Thompson, Vinny Minchillo and Senior VP Malorie Miller.”

EXCLUSIVE: “SENIOR ADVISOR TO CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER JOINS MERCURY PUBLIC AFFAIRS/ IGR GROUP : Patrick Muttart Heads Canada-U.S. Practice and Expands Firm’s International Public Affairs Reach — Mercury Public Affairs and its IGR Group (International Government Relations) arm announced that Patrick Muttart has joined the firm as a Managing Director. Muttart most recently served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and head of the Prime Minister’s strategy unit. He also served as chief marketing strategist for the Conservative Party of Canada during the 2006 and 2008 elections. Called “the main brain” behind Prime Minister Harper’s groundbreaking campaign, Muttart will partner with professionals in Washington and throughout North America, leading the firm’s new Canada-United States practice. He will also partner with the firm’s internationally-recognized political strategists to offer political consulting services to candidates and party organizations throughout the word. … Mercury Public Affairs is a premier, bipartisan, full-service public affairs consultancy that counsels leading global Fortune 500 corporations, non-profit organizations, and trade and advocacy coalitions … IGR Group (International Government Relations Group) delivers measurable business value at the intersection of government & business.” (Hat tip: Brian Jones)

THE “NEW CALIFORNIA TAX REVOLT,” as Drudge bannered it – AP, “Ballot defeat means deeper cuts ahead for Calif. … With few tricks up their sleeves, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state lawmakers agree they can no longer avoid deep cuts to schools and government services after California voters rejected their special election budget proposals. ‘I think the message was clear from the people: Go all out and make those cuts and live within your means,’ Schwarzenegger said Wednesday in Washington, D.C., after voters rejected a complex slate of propositions that included a spending cap, higher taxes, borrowing and raiding money from programs dedicated to young children and the mentally ill. Schwarzenegger said the budget cuts ahead may be more painful than California voters realize.”

L.A. Times banner: “State braces for brutal cuts.”

AKPD MESSAGE AND MEDIA “extends warm congratulations to California's No on 1A Coalition for their victory in [the] Special Election. AKPD worked with the No on 1A Coalition to produce television and internet advertising which helped defeat California's misguided Prop 1A by a vote of 65.9 percent to 34.1 percent. Prop 1A had powerful proponents, including Governor Schwarzenegger, but paid media such as ‘Accounting Professor,’ helped to clarify an otherwise complex issue so that California voters learned that Prop 1A was flawed. Larry Grisolano, AKPD's managing partner, said: ‘We're proud to stand by the No on 1A Coalition of teachers, faculty, nurses, health care providers, seniors and public employees, who fought so hard on behalf of real budget reform.’ The Coalition included participation from citizen and labor groups, such as the California Faculty Association, the California Federation of Teachers, SEIU California State Council, the League of Women Voters of California, Congress of California Seniors, Health Access California, California Nurses Association, Consumer Federation of California, and Older Women's League of California. AKPD also implemented the campaign's advocacy website, VoteNoOn1A.com, which conveyed the Coalition's perspective to those wanting to learn more after viewing the Coalition’s television and internet advertising.”

TWEEPLE — Please follow our nephew, Anders Ericson of Wilsonville, Ore., @Ericsona. He’d be thrilled, and we’d be appreciative. He’s a huge Portland Trail Blazers fan, and has enthusiastic NBA Tweets (getting excited for Lakers vs Nuggets !! Go Lakers … i don't think the rockets can get back in this thing the lakers are too good). He’s the oldest of three brothers and recently wrote a paper about Uncle Mike.

BUSINESS BURST — Financial Times front page, “Dollar falls as Geithner hails recovery hopes … The US dollar fell to its lowest level of the year yesterday as Tim Geithner hailed signs of healing in financial markets and minutes showed the Federal Reserve saw indications of economic stabilisation at its April policy meeting. … Such expectations are encouraging investors to buy riskier assets and abandon risk-aversion strategies that favoured US Treasury bills. Mr Geithner, US Treasury secretary, said there were ‘important indications that our financial system is starting to heal’ — citing declining corporate bond yields and other market measures of financial stress.”

SPORTS BLINK — AP, “NEW ORLEANS — Hundreds filled a downtown square to applaud the ownership of the New Orleans Saints and tourism officials who put together the city's successful bid for the 2013 Super Bowl. Saints owner Tom Benson received enthusiastic cheers Wednesday from spectators and dignitaries alike as he stood on stage with his wife, Gayle; his granddaughter and team executive, Rita Benson LeBlanc; coach Sean Payton; general manager Mickey Loomis; and several other state and local officials. NFL owners voted Tuesday to accept New Orleans' $12 million bid to host what will be the city's 10th Super Bowl, and the seventh in the 34-year-old Louisiana Superdome.” (hat tip: Ragan Dickens)

AP: "The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees used the long ball to post lopsided victories Wednesday night. Even David Ortiz went deep for the Bosox. Ortiz finally hit his first homer of the year, one of four belted by the Red Sox during a six-run fifth that led to an 8-3 rout of Toronto. He had gone a career-high 149 at-bats without a homer before helping the Bosox pull within 1 1-2 games of the AL East-leading Blue Jays." (h/t Dick Keil)

DESSERT — Reuters, “Dark horse Kris Allen wins ‘American Idol’”: “Arkansas student Kris Allen won the eighth season of ‘American Idol’ on Wednesday, dealing an unexpected defeat to singing rival Adam Lambert on the most popular U.S. television show. Allen, 23, who won over audiences with his all-American good looks and by putting his personal spin on popular tunes, appeared shocked as Lambert, a 27-year-old musical theater actor, embraced him after host Ryan Seacrest's announcement. … A record high of nearly 100 million votes were cast in the finale. The ‘Idol’ win guarantees Allen a recording contract. A college student and devout Christian from Arkansas, Allen was the more clean-cut of the two finalists. He often performed with his acoustic guitar, winning praise for rearranging well-known tunes, among them Michael Jackson's ‘Remember the Time’ and Bill Withers' ‘Ain't No Sunshine.’ As recently as last week, Allen was considered a long shot heading into the battle for the top two ‘Idol’ spots, but he wowed the show's judges with his rendition of Kanye West's ‘Heartless,’ ousting early favorite Danny Gokey. Even hours after winning, Allen appeared stunned. …

“Widely considered the front-runner since early in the season, Lambert dazzled audiences and the show's celebrity judges with his off-the-charts vocal range and dramatic flair. With his falsetto singing style, black nail polish and daring wardrobe, Lambert earned the nickname ‘Glambert.’ Entertainment Weekly magazine even dubbed him ‘The most exciting “American Idoll” contestant in years.’ Backstage, Lambert appeared unfazed by the loss. ‘For me, it's not really about what happened tonight, it's about tomorrow,’ he said. … Highlights of Wednesday's star-studded finale included a joint performance between Lambert, Allen and surviving members of the rock band Queen. Also, judge Kara DioGuardi ripped off her dress to reveal a bikini in the middle of a singing duel with a former contestant famous for wearing a two-piece.

“‘American Idol’ began as a cheesy summer talent show in 2002 but morphed into a cultural phenomenon that attracts tens of millions of viewers a week to News Corp's Fox network. Ratings have sagged about 7 percent this season, but it remains the nation's top-rated TV show with some 26 million viewers. ‘American Idol’ has produced true music stars from among its winners and losers, including Grammy winners Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson, who also has won an Oscar.” ALL EIGHT “IDOL” WINNERS — AP Entertainment Writer Derrik J. Lang’s look at the winners of Fox's "American Idol":

— Kelly Clarkson: The 27-year-old singer has released four albums since winning the first "Idol." Her name was immortalized in 2005 when Steve Carell screamed it out after getting his chest waxed in "The 40-Year-Old Virgin." Clarkson currently has two singles, "My Life Would Suck Without You" and "I Do Not Hook Up," on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

— Ruben Studdard: The 30-year-old crooner has also released four albums since winning the second season, including the 2004 gospel record "I Need an Angel." He is currently starring as Fats Waller in a national tour of "Ain't Misbehavin'." Studdard's most recent album, "Love IS," dropped Tuesday and features a mix of romance-themed covers and original tunes.

— Fantasia Barrino: The 24-year-old singer has released two albums, "Free Yourself" and "Fantasia." Barrino played herself in a 2006 Lifetime TV film based on her autobiography, "Life Is Not a Fairy Tale." She starred as Celie in the Broadway musical version of "The Color Purple" in 2007 and will reprise her role in a national tour later this year.

— Carrie Underwood: The 26-year-old country crooner is arguably the singing competition's most successful winner, becoming a Grammy-winning, multi-platinum selling recording artist with her two albums, "Some Hearts" and "Carnival Rides." Underwood captured the entertainer of the year award at last month's Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas.

— Taylor Hicks: The 32-year-old Soul Patrol leader's first, self-titled album went platinum but never generated the acclaim or hype of winners like Clarkson or Underwood. He later went on to play Teen Angel in the Broadway and national touring casts of "Grease." Hicks released a second album in March under his own label after leaving Arista Records.

— Jordin Sparks: The 19-year-old singer's self-titled first album debuted at No. 10 on Billboard. After winning the sixth season, Sparks performed the national anthem at Super Bowl XLII and defended the Jonas Brothers at last year's MTV Video Music Awards when host Russell Brand joked about their purity rings. She will release her second album in July.

— David Cook: The 26-year-old rocker released his self-titled debut album in November and is currently touring the country. He dueted with Underwood on Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way" at the opening of an "Idol" attraction at Disney World. Cook's older brother, who famously cheered for him in the "Idol" audience, died from brain cancer earlier this month.

— Kris Allen: The 23-year-old college student used his twangy voice and folksy charm to overpower 27-year-old theater actor Adam Lambert during the eighth season finale, despite the fact Lambert had been declared the front-runner by the show's judges. Allen told reporters following his win backstage he wanted to make a "pop singer-songwriter kinda" album.

**From the U.S. Travel Association: Travel is one of America’s most important engines of economic growth and a critical component to our nation’s economic recovery. It employs one out of every eight Americans, drives $740 billion in spending and generates $115 billion in tax revenues for vibrant communities across the country.

Standing up for travel — and the millions of Americans who work in this industry – has never been more important. This week, thousands of industry members in more than 30 cities are commemorating National Travel and Tourism Week with rallies promoting the value of travel. To learn more about travel in America and communities like yours, visit www.poweroftravel.org and www.meetingsmeanbusiness.com. **

****** A message from UnitedHealth Group: What does it take to create a modern, high-performing, simpler health care system? Expanding access to care through proven state-based coverage and employer-sponsored insurance. Making health care more affordable with consumer-directed care and value-based payments. Supporting and modernizing Medicare to meet the complex health challenges of America’s seniors. And reinvesting in health to support research and innovation. Learn more about these ideas at http://www.unitedhealthgroup.com ******

Authors:

About The Author

Mike Allen is the chief White House correspondent for POLITICO. He comes to us from Time magazine where he was their White House correspondent. Prior to that, Allen spent six years at The Washington Post, where he covered President Bush's first term, Capitol Hill, campaign finance, and the Bush, Gore and Bradley campaigns of 2000. Before turning to national politics, he covered schools and local governments in rural counties outside Fredericksburg, Va., for The Free Lance-Star, then wrote about Doug Wilder, Oliver North, Chuck Robb and the Bobbitts for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, where he nurtured police sources on overnight ride-alongs through housing projects. Allen also covered Mayor Giuliani, the Connecticut statehouse and the wacky rich of Greenwich for The New York Times. Before moving to The Times, he did stints in the Richmond and Alexandria bureaus of The Washington Post. Allen grew up in Orange County, Calif., and has a B.A. from Washington and Lee University, where he majored in politics and journalism.